The new Brazil
Subtitle: regional imperialism and the new democracy
By: Raúl Zibechi ; translated by Ramor Ryan
Contributors: Ryan, Ramor, translator
Publisher: AK Press
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 360
ISBN-13: 9781849351683
Subjects: Politics and government; Government policy; Labor unions; Democracy; Militarism; Corporations; Foreign relations
Description: Once upon a time, Lula's election in Brazil offered a pretense of hope to the international left. In the midst of a rapidly shifting global economy, Brazil has since emerged as a powerful new player on the geopolitical stage. With three short years of aggressive economic restructuring, Lula embraced the legacy of the country's oligarchic past, paying off huge IMF loans years ahead of schedule and placing Brazil at the center of political and economic power in the region. Brazil is now the poster child for neoliberal capitalism. Within its borders, vast inequities in wealth and access to social services still exist -- a striking contrast to the nation's newfound prestige in world politics. At the same time, unrest is growing. Small protests against the costs of public transportation have grown to mass demonstrations that question the very foundations of capital and the state in Brazil. Raul Zibechi dedicates this book to "the new forces emerging in Latin America, to all the movements and acts of rebellion against current forms of oppression in mining, monoculture, hydroelectric dams -- and against the new imperialism." He makes it clear that movements and militants must understand the implications of Brazil's rise to the global power as part of changes happening in the world system. Toward that end, he provides a step-by-step history and analysis of the country's trajectory in recent decades. including the new forms of militarization and "sub-imperialism" it has developed; the increasing collusion among its unions, multinational corporations, and the state; its devastating conquest of the Amazon; and, most importantly, the antisystemic movements that are getting stronger and smarter as they try to push the entire region in a more radical and humane direction.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-342) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction -- -- 1.; title: The Return of Sub-Imperialism --; title: The political climate in Brazil during the 1970s --; title: Marini and the theory of sub-imperialism -- -- 2.; title: Broadening the Ruling Elite --; title: The union trajectory --; title: Unionists in state positions --; title: The role of pension funds --; title: A new class or union capitalism? -- -- 3.; title: Building a Strategy --; title: A history of plans and planning --; title: Brazil in 3 Phases: The country's centennial --; title: Centennial goals --; title: Who's who in strategic planning -- -- 4.; title: From a Resistance Strategy to a National Defense Strategy --; title: The National Defense Strategy --; title: A new military-industrial complex --; title: Behind the nuclear weapon -- -- 5.; title: The Reorganization of Brazilian Capitalism --; title: The reorganization begins --; title: Petrobras, the crown jewel --; title: Petrobras and the foreign takeover of ethanol --; title: Investment in infrastructure and energy --; title: State and capital -- -- 6.; title: Brazilian Multinationals in Latin America --; title: The internationalization of Brazilian companies --; title: Foreign investment in Brazil --; title: Green-yellow entrepreneurs -- -- 7.; title: The New Conquest of the Amazon --; title: Dams in the Amazon --; title: IIRSA: Integration through markets --; title: Winners and losers -- -- 8.; title: Relations with Peripheral Countries --; title: Paraguay, the weaker neighbor --; title: Bolivia, gas, and soybeans --; title: Ecuador against Brazilian companies --; title: "Strategic alliances": Argentina and Venezuela --; title: Is Brazil creating its own "backyard"? -- -- 9.; title: Toward a New Center and New Peripheries --; title: Neither gendarme nor dependent --; title: Ongoing debates --; title: An open scenario -- -- 10.; title: Antisystemic Movements in Brazil --; title: Stagnation and decline of struggle --; title: The "have-nots": reconfiguration and change -- -- 11.; title: The June 2013 Uprisings --; title: Salvador, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre --; title: A new political culture --; title: The Pan American Games as rehearsal --; title: Debating the character of the June mobilizations --; title: Notes --; title: Index.